The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, along with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will once again sponsor the "Great Pennsylvania Cleanup” campaign. The offical day of the cleanup will be Saturday, April 27, 2019. Groups are welcome to begin cleanup on Monday, April 22nd. Bags must be on the side of the roadways or in parks no later then Sunday, April 28th. If any groups cleanup after this date, you will be responsible for contacting your local city, borough or municipality for pickup of garbage bags.

"The Great Pennsylvania Cleanup" is a statewide effort designed to encourage concerned citizens and groups to participate in a meaningful community beautification effort. The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is the local coordinator for the Greater Hazleton Area.

This year marks the thirty-seventh year that the Chamber is coordinating the yearly cleanup in the Greater Hazleton Area. The cleanup has become the largest volunteer effort in Luzerne County. During the last few years, nearly 90 groups consisting of 1,500 volunteers participated in the one-day cleanup effort. Assisting the Chamber and PennDOT in the cleanup effort are the street departments of the City of Hazleton, Hazle Township, West Hazleton Borough, Butler Township, Conyngham Borough, Freeland Borough, Sugarloaf Township, and Black Creek Township.

 

Targeted areas include entrances into the Greater Hazleton Area, playgrounds and greenspaces. Participants can, if they choose, select any specific area that they feel is in need. Gather your family, friends, employees, or volunteer group, adopt an area, roadway, or playground and help us to cleanup Greater Hazleton.

The cleanup effort is supported by the State and local police departments. Anyone seen littering will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

PennDOT stresses that this is a litter cleanup and is not intended for bulk trash removal. Crews will not pick up large items such as appliances, furniture, mattresses, etc.

PennDOT will provide work crews fluorescent orange safety vests, gloves and trash bags. Certificates of participation are provided by the Chamber of Commerce. Local businesses also participate by donating coupons and other goodies for each volunteer.

If you would like to become involved, please contact the Chamber office 455-1509 or email Registration forms are also available on our online calendar of events on our website at www.hazletonchamber.org.

The cleanup program (Keep PA Beautiful) began in the Hazleton Area in 1983 and is the largest one-day cleanup effort in the county.

Pictured in the photo are representatives who assist in the coordination of the Great PA Cleanup.

Standing from the left is Henry Weikel and Jesse Webster, Black Creek Township; Tony Columbo, PennDOT; Barry Ervin, Sugarloaf Township; Bob Babemko, Borough of Conyngham and John Hermany and Joe Synoski, Hazle Township.
Sitting from the left is Dan Brighthaupt and Joe Petrovich, Butler Township; Dan Guydish, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce and Mountain Council of Governments and Larry and Eric Shulensk, Borough of West Hazleton.